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Ref | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
B01 | What support, operational and financial, will be provided to buyers in order to secure services under the GPITF Framework? | Under the GPITF Framework services can be purchased via three procurement procedures which are suitable under different circumstances based on contract value and complexity of the services you wish to procure. Core procurement support as well as the contract timetable is currently under review, please refer . to Timelines for Buying Activity With regard to financial support, some migration support is available where you switch foundation solutions and additional funding is available where you switch to a foundation solution which meets the pre-specified digital maturity criteria. |
B02 | Can we continue to migrate practices from current incumbent providers to other incumbent providers (e.g. TPP migrate to EMIS) under existing continuity arrangements? | Unless you arranged the move before 31 December 2019, in order to move from one solution to a replacement solution, buyers must execute one of the three procurement procedures available under GPITF. More detail on these procedures is provided in how to buy. If you arranged the move before 31 December 2019, you may be eligible to enter into a Continuity Call Off Agreement for the replacement services. |
B03 | How do the contract term and termination provisions operate under GPITF? | Call Off Agreements under the GPITF Lot 1 Framework are constructed in a manner that allows you to order services per service recipient for an initial term defined by you, but typically one year and for the term to automatically extend month by month up to a maximum of 3 years unless you issue notice to terminate giving 30 days’ notice. Termination for convenience after the initial term for an order does not have any associated termination related payments. Termination within the initial term requires payment of 50% of any periodic service charges due over the remaining period of the initial term. More detail is provided in the GPITF Contractual Overview here. |
B04 | How frequently will buyers be required to re-compete the GPITF services and does this mean service recipients will need to change systems at that frequency? | The maximum term for service provision to a service recipient is 3 years under a GPITF Call Off Agreement. Buyers must therefore re-secure services at least every 3 years. When procuring services under the GPITF procurement procedures buyers will need to define the associated evaluation criteria used to determine which replacement services are secured. The evaluation criteria should consider the whole life cost of the procurement, including any migration costs and disruptions, and should, if the evaluation methodology is designed appropriately, result in the right outcome for the buyer. This may or may not result in a migration to different replacement services. More detail on these procedures is provided in how to buy |
B05 | As a CCG we have a well developed IT strategy - we have all GPs on the same clinical system and have ensured for the last 4 years that all other systems fully integrate ...Will this new framework support or undermine this work? | The GPITF Lot 1 Framework should support the work you have done. The GPITF guidance provided here sets out the objectives for GPITF, how that supports interoperability and how you buy services under GPITF. |
B06 | How will GPITF support the changing needs of buyers? | One of the underpinning design principles of GPITF is the need to adapt to meet changing buyer needs. This will be achieved by: · Adapting the capability and standards model based on buyer needs identified on an ongoing basis as we re-compete the services. · Listening to buyer inputs received · Refreshing the framework regularly in order to accommodate variations in the capability and standards model, to ensure that new entrants to the market can sell their products via GPITF and to optimise the commercials and contractual provisions based on actual operational experience. |
B07 | If buyers go through the evaluation questions and the product catalogue recommends a system that is not their preferred choice what happens then? | Under the GPITF Framework services can be purchased via three procurement procedures which are suitable under different circumstances based on contract value and complexity of the services you wish to procure. More detail on the above is provided in the Buyer’s Guide here. When procuring services under the GPITF procurement procedures buyers will need to define the associated evaluation criteria used to determine which replacement services are secured. The evaluation criteria should consider the whole life cost of the procurement, including any migration costs and disruptions, and should, if the evaluation methodology is designed appropriately, result in the right outcome for the buyer. This may or may not result in a migration to different replacement services. The buyer is not obligated to award a contract to the winning supplier(s). |
B08 | As a CCG we procure some subsidiary systems as well as the foundation systems - what will happen with these after 31st December 2019? | NHS Digital and NHS England will secure Continuity Call Off Agreements (CCOAs) for all software solution contracted for under Lot 1 of GPSoC that are available via GPITF as those solutions become compliant. The CCOAs will provide continuity of service through to March 2021. Where a GPSoC Lot 1 software solution is not compliant by 1 January 2020, service provision will continue under the GPSoC exit arrangements until the buyer secures replacement services. For non-software solutions and solutions contracted for under GPSoC Lots 2 and 3, buyers are responsible for ensuring continuity of service and securing replacement services. |
B09 | Will there be a standard notice period for these contracts? | Call Off Agreements under the GPITF Lot 1 Framework are constructed in a manner that allows you to order services for an initial term, which would typically be one year, and for the term to automatically extend month by month up to a maximum of 3 years unless you issue notice to terminate giving 30 days’ notice. More detail is provided in the GPITF Contractual Overview here. |
B10 | Will there be a pricing cap on solutions and will the suppliers offer discounts? | Foundation Catalogue Solution Sets (one or more solutions from a supplier that collectively meet all of the foundation capabilities) are subject to an affordability cap. All other solutions are not. Suppliers can offer discounts to their list price under the “off catalogue further competition procedure” – the other two procurement procedures do not involve supplier interaction and suppliers’ do not therefore discount these procedures. For more detail on capabilities see the Capabilities and Standards overview here. For more detail on buying scenarios see how to buy. For more detail on funding allocations to buyers see funding guidance. |
B11 | After this framework when will the next framework be published for suppliers that didn't apply this time? | The GPITF Framework will be refreshed regularly. We currently expect to refresh by early 2021, but this could be sooner or later depending upon a number of factors which include the number of suppliers that have market ready solutions that are not on the current framework. |
B12 | If we are wanting to migrate practices from one supplier to another after the 31st December 2019 what is the process? | The migration of practices from one supplier to another under GPITF may be handled either (a) where you have a GPITF Call Off Agreement with both the outgoing and incoming supplier, within the constraints of the procurement regulations, you may execute the contractual change via a variation to each of the GPITF Call Off Agreements; or (b) as procurements under GPITF using one of the permitted procurement procedures. For more detail on buying scenarios see how to buy |
B13 | How do Patient Facing Services work under GPITF? | Patient Facing Services that are on the Buying Catalogue remain centrally contracted – this is to ensure that patients have access to the widest range of services that are properly integrated with the Practices Foundation Solutions. Practices should make themselves aware of the different services that are integrated with their chosen Foundation Solution and make patients aware of the full range of services available to them. Details can be found on the Practices NHS.UK page. |
B14 | How do buyers influence the marketplace to meet their business needs? | Buyers are responsible for defining the evaluation methodology and criteria applicable to their procurements (within the constraints placed on each of the three GPITF procurement procedures) and the reasons for success / failure by suppliers will, to an appropriate extent, be made available to buyers and suppliers. This will inevitably influence suppliers to meet buyer needs in order to secure business. For more detail on buying scenarios see how to buy |
B15 | How do I merge practices under GPITF? | You will need to contact the contracted Supplier to agree a variation to the Call Off Order Form to reflect the change in Service Instances. Where a Service Instance is ceasing through merger this should not incur a penalty even where the this variation occurs within the Initial Term for that Service Instance. Information then needs to be captured on the Order Tracker see Ordering Solutions / Service Changes. |
B16 | Given the Continuity Call Off Agreements expire in March 2021 and migration between systems can take a number of months, how is this catered for under GPITF? | Only a contract for replacement services needs to be in place by the expiry of the Continuity Call Off Agreement (CCOA) – any migration to new replacement services can take place after the expiry as the CCOA will provide continuity of service under its exit arrangements. We do not anticipate that large scale migrations to new replacement foundation solutions will occur in the next 18 months, unless the associated procurements demonstrate that the benefits of migrating outweigh the switching costs and service disruption. However, if significant migrations do occur the supplier will include a plan for such migrations in their tender / contract and these migrations should take into account any go-live constraints specified in the procurement. |
B17 | What do CCG's need to start doing with regards to competitive procurements? | NHS Digital will work with you to determine your future requirements and to execute competitive procurement's for the GPITF services that best meet those requirements. See Timelines for Buying Activity |
B18 | Can a Practice/CCG/PCN select their existing supplier? | It is your responsibility to comply with the relevant local and national procurement regulations. Under GPITF the direct award of contracts without executing a competitive procurement is only supported for contracts with a value of <=£40k. Under the GPITF Framework services can be purchased via three procurement procedures which are suitable under different circumstances based on contract value and complexity of the services you wish to procure. More detail on the above is provided in how to buy |
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